ALUMNI/AE NEWS Lana Russell to serve as liaison to graduates and congregations
WELCOME… to Rachel Doris Smith, daughter of Monica T. Smith (MDiv’99) and Andy Smith (MDiv’99), born on January 25, 2010.
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he Reverend Lana E. Russell is Austin Seminary’s director of church and alumni/ae relations. She joined the staff in January after five years as associate pastor at Kirk in the Hills Presbyt e r i a n Church in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Russell formed early ties to Austin Seminary when she took classes as a Special Student from 1988-1993—both at the Seminary’s West Texas extension, where she served on the board, and on the Austin campus. Before entering seminary full time, she served on the board of St. Andrew’s Mission of Tres Rios Presbytery and the Midland Association of Churches; she was executive director for the Midland affiliate of Habitat for Humanity. She earned Master of Divinity (2003) and Master of Theology (2004) degrees from Princeton Seminary where she received the Charles H. Jagow Preaching Prize and the Charles H. Jagow Prize in Homiletics and Speech. She is a fellow in the inaugural class of the Institute for Pastoral Leadership at Princeton. “Building and maintaining strong relationships with our alumni/ae and Synod congregations are an institutional priority,” says Donna Scott, vice president for Institutional Advancement. “I am thrilled to have Lana at Austin Seminary and serving in this role. I am confident she will represent both of these constituencies well.”
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to Caroline Moses, daughter of Alex Moses (MDiv’01) and Jennifer K. Moses, born in December 2009. New Mexico, Sierra Blanca Presbytery and Santa Fe Presbytery. Classes reunions for 1960 and 1970 brought several folks back to campus during the 2010 MidWinters. On hand for the reunion luncheon were Fred Morgan (MDiv’71), J Carter King (MDiv’70), Gene March (MDiv’60), Ken Altfather (MDiv’70), Barbara Altfather, and Ralph Bucy (MDiv’52).
New ASA Board members announced During the ASA Banquet and Annual Meeting the following alumni/ae were elected to the serve on the ASA Board: Belinda Windham (MDiv’91), president; Richard Culp (MDiv’93, DMin’01), president-elect; along with new members Judy Baskin (MDiv’02), Aquanetta Hicks (MDiv’08), Kathleen Hignight (MDiv’95), Ryan Kemp-Pappan (MDiv’08), and Catherine Robinson (MDiv’86).
CLASS NOTES 1950s
Corrine “Sis” Smith McGehee, wife of Bob McGehee (MDiv ’57), died in Decatur, Alabama, April 25, 2009.* Fred H. Babb (MDiv’59) is serving as Interim Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Hillsboro, Texas. 1980s
Carol S. Wood (MDiv ’80) recently retired from Westminster Presbyterian Church in Las Vegas, Nevada. Anne E. Clifton (MDiv’87) married David E. Hébert on January 30, 2010, at First Presbyterian Church in Garland, Texas, where she is the pastor. Sallie Watson (MDiv’87) has been called as Regional Presbyter/Stated Clerk of two governing bodies in
Outgoing ASA President Patty Hernden (MDiv’93) presides over the business meeting at the ASA Banquet.
* For more from Austin Seminary alumni/ae go to
www.austinseminary.edu/alumwords
1990s
Phillip Faris (MDiv’93) was installed as pastor of Graceminster Presbyterian Church in Monroe, Louisiana, on February 28, 2010. 2000s
W. Alexander Moses (MDiv’01) was called to serve as senior pastor of Fayette Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville, Georgia (Atlanta).
Derek Forbes (MDiv’08), above left, puts the finishing touches on the communion table he handcrafted for the Stanley R. Hall Liturgy Lab, dedicated during MidWinters. Monica Hall (MDiv’08), right, offers encouragement.
ORDINATIONS Juan I. Herrera Ortegon (MDiv’07) to serve First Presbyterian Church in St. Petersburg, Florida Mitchell S. Holley (MDiv’08) to Air Force chaplaincy in Irving, Texas
Melani Longoni (MDiv’03) directed the Third Annual Retreat for the Arizona Association of Independent Catholic Clergy. The theme for the day was “exploring the use of feminine imagery to point toward the mystery that is God.”
Teresa L. Summers-Minette (MDiv’08) to serve Grace Presbyterian Church in Grove, Oklahoma
Jennifer J. Rogers (MDiv’04) wed Adam C. Cooper on January 2, 2010, in Germany.
Matthew L. Thompson (MDiv’09) to serve First Presbyterian Church in Lamesa, Texas
Rick Brooks (MDiv’05) and his wife, Teri, suffered two recent losses: their son, Adam, died on April 4 and Teri’s mother, Jane Brown, died on April 7.
NECROLOGY
Ryan Kemp-Pappan (MDiv’09) made an appearance on “God Complex Radio,” March 12, discussing the recently deceased theologian Mary Daly. The program is co-founded by Austin alumnus Carol Howard Merritt (MDiv ’05).
Christopher J. Kirwan (MDiv’09) to serve Williamston Presbyterian Church in Williamston, North Carolina Joseph M. Moore (MDiv’09) to serve Central Presbyterian Church in Austin, Texas
Jack K. Bennett (ThM’58) New Braunfels, Texas, January 21, 2010* Reynaldo N. Suarez (MDiv’66) Houston, Texas, January 7, 2010 Toney D. McMillan (MDiv’67) Arkadelphia, Arkansas, November 22, 2009 Clinton C. Rabb (MDiv’74) Hawthorne, New York, January 17, 2010 J. Michael Chadwick (MDiv’76) Fort Worth, Texas, October 20, 2009 James M. Davis (MDiv’80) Carrollton, Texas, December 8, 2009 Leslie G. Andrew (MDiv’81) January 22, 2010, Bella Vista, Arkansas